No matter what culinary indulgence you are searching for, it's only a flight away. A recent Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) study, shows 58 per cent of all American leisure travellers say they are somewhat/very interested in taking a trip to engage in culinary or wine-related activities. With this in mind, editors of the website Travelocity.ca say they "scoured the globe" to highlight unique foodie finds.

"Culinary tourism has become very popular over the past few years," Jennifer Gaines, Travelocity.ca editor, said in a news release. "People are travelling to cities around the world just to have an opportunity to savour the local cuisine."

Travelocity.ca's favourite foodie list includes:

BARCELONA

This Spanish city started getting recognition just within the last five years. Catalan influences dominate both the culture and cuisine with French and Mediterranean-inspired dishes more prevalent than traditional Spanish fare. Catalan cuisine features a unique combination of ingredients such as red meat and fish; poultry and fruit; and pork sausage with white beans. Each dish is unique, original and utterly impossible to put down.

We know Boulder is about as eco-friendly and earthy as it gets, but what may come as a surprise is how the recent addition of urban dwellers has led to a more sophisticated and trend-setting approach to organic dining. Take The Kitchen Cafe for example, which offers an eclectic menu with superior organic ingredients, but moreover, is completely green -- they even compost all of the kitchen scraps and use wind power. On top of this green approach, Boulderites have access to some of America's finest boutique ingredients, such as hormone-free Colorado lamb, local cheeses, and even organic microbrews.

CHARLESTON, S.C.

Some may call it soul food, but in Charleston they call it Low Country cuisine. Prevailing as the undisputed local favourite, this culinary specialty infuses restaurant menus with dishes such as Frogmore Stew, She-Crab Soup and Hoppin' John. Rice, grits and fresh, local produce play an integral role in the creation of these truly Southern meals, and the waters that surround South Carolina's Low Country inspire local cooks more often than not with seafood dishes found on just about every menu.

LAS VEGAS, NEV.

In the spirit of Liberace, Vegas's recent restaurant boom is completely over the top -- and we mean that in the best possible way. If you want your foie gras topped with shaved truffles and dusted with gold, it's a sure bet it can be found here. Top chefs from NYC, Paris, and London are opening namesake outposts in hotels and casinos with much fanfare, so keep an eye out for Emeril, Thomas Keller, and Bobby Flay. Fortunately for our wallets, Vegas's famous buffets are still a beloved part of life on The Strip.

London is shaking its reputation for having mediocre cuisine (we think it was undeserved anyway!). Celebrity chefs like Gordon Ramsey have built on the English penchant for exquisite service and fine surroundings, and have made the current restaurant scene world famous. All the while, specialty gourmet shops have continued operations for nearly 300 years, as in the case of Fortnum & Mason, known for its fine teas, and Paxton & Whitfield, cheesemonger to the royal family. Choose from afternoon tea, Indian curries, and classic pub fare, like shepherd's pie -- then wash it down with a black and tan before hitting the museums.

Known for its French cuisine, the Montreal culinary scene also boasts imaginative carte du jours from more than 80 countries. Dine at one of the city's 5,000 restaurants, or spend the day meandering through local markets in search of the same culinary treasures used by Montreal chefs. While there, sample a Montreal-style bagel topped with cream cheese or a smoked meat sandwich, two local treats.

Many first time visitors head to New Orleans to experience events such as Mardi Gras or JazzFest, but they return time and time again for its food. The most famous restaurants include Emeril's, Commander's Palace and Antoine's, but local favourites such as Jacques-Imos and Port of Call deserve a spot on the map of culinary treasures as well. Cajun and Creole dishes throughout the city tempt the taste buds, and no visit to Crescent City is complete without indulging in a beignet dusted with powdered sugar and a cup of cafe au lait laced with chicory at Cafe Du Monde.

NEW YORK CITY

Cabbies and billionaires alike clamour for the city's famous slices, pretzels with mustard and roasted chestnuts in paper bags, but beyond street food, NYC boasts more restaurants per capita than any other American city. Whether one is looking for a neighbourhood Italian joint or sweeping views of Central Park at Per Se, there's something for everyone. The city is also home to some of the best foodie souvenir shops around, including DiPalo's homemade mozzarella, the Doughnut Plant's pistachio glazed version, and Vintage's Long Island wines.

SAN FRANCISCO

Alice Waters is credited with changing the way Americans eat, and now her local, seasonal approach to cuisine is an integral part of San Francisco's venerable restaurant scene. With Wine Country vintages at hand, Bodega Bay oysters on the half-shell, and Northern California's bounty, visitors are able to try ingredients they wouldn't have access to at home.

VANCOUVER

Yes, our own city made the list: Top restaurants in Vancouver subscribe to the "buy local, eat seasonal" philosophy, using the freshest ingredients from the area. Many menus feature fresh seafood from the Pacific and homegrown veggies from farms in the Fraser Valley. Spend a day in the scenic Okanagan Valley sipping B.C. wines, which are often overlooked by wine enthusiasts but well deserving of a taste.

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